Carla Suarez Navarro gets big fine for lack of effort at the US Open

Carla Suarez Navarro got a $40,000 fine for lack of effort against Timea Babos in the US Open first round match. Through a statement the Spanish player said she will appeal the fine. "The physical problems that made me retire in New York are the same ones that have been bothering me for months.

With my team we do a prevention work on a daily basis because of the many years of competition. I had back issues also in the French Open and Wimbledon but I still managed to go through several rounds. I was in New York for a longer time than I did in other seasons in order to perform well.

I did not compete in the Bronx tournament and so I stayed for ten days in New York before the US Open started. I have been in the game for 15 years and I never showed lack of respect for it. We are now appealing this decision."

In a press conference Suarez Navarro was asked how much of an inspiration the former world No. 1 Justine Henin was to her. The Spaniard replied: "I think a lot because we don't have too many players with one-handed backhand.

She was one of the one-handed. I saw a lot of matches from her. I like it because I know players, like Mauresmo, I don't know, but they slice more than Justine. She all the time, against the Williams, against players who were taller than her, also with more power. Yeah, was one of my favorite players when I grow up."